RU2376714C2 - Method of multiplexing over error-prone wireless broadband channel - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics; communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method and system for efficient data transmission in communication networks. The method involves determination of information on length of at least one of the transmitted data streams, and association of the information on stream length with a system parametre message. The system parametre message, which contains information on stream length, is transmitted separately from the data stream and is included in the channel of service data characters (0IS). The given procedure simplifies demultiplexing separate streams and processing data in a stream, even if one or more separate streams are received with errors.

EFFECT: reduced error of transmitting data in wireless communication networks.

18 cl, 10 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to transmission efficiency in communication networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to reducing data transmission errors in wireless communication networks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

FLO is a technology designed primarily for the efficient and cost-effective distribution of the same multimedia content (content) simultaneously to millions of wireless subscribers. The objective of FLO technology is to reduce the costs associated with the delivery of such content, and provide users with the ability to navigate through the channels of content on mobile handsets, mainly used for conventional cellular data services and voice services. Such multimedia content is also known as services. A service is the aggregation of one or more independent data components. Each independent component of the service data is called a stream.

Services are divided into two types based on their coverage area:

global services and local services. Local services are a group broadcast for reception within the city. In contrast, global services are multicast within one or more cities.

FLO services are transmitted over one or more logical channels, known as MediaFLO ^TM or MLC logical channels. MLC can be divided into a maximum of three logical streams. These logical subchannels will hereinafter be referred to as streams. Each stream as an independent component of the service data is carried in such a single stream.

MLC processing in the FLO network is controlled based on control protocol information. This control information is transmitted by the radio network in elements called physical layer packets (PLPs).

Within a FLO network, multiplexing multiple streams of various transmission media in an error-prone wireless broadband channel can be significant problems. In particular, if the service data necessary for the network device to demultiplex and / or decode the data is received by the receiver of the device with an error, the corresponding multimedia data is lost until the actual service data is received. If the PLPs carrying the stream information are received in error, then the receiver will not be able to demultiplex and / or decode the individual streams, even if this multimedia data was received without error.

Therefore, a method and system is needed to demultiplex individual streams and process streams, even if one or more separate streams are received in error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, as presented and described broadly herein, the present invention includes a method for transmitting information. This method includes determining stream length information for at least one data stream and associating stream length information with a message of system parameters. A system parameter message including associated stream length information is transmitted separately from the data stream.

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for transmitting information includes means for determining stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream and means for associating stream length information with a system parameter message. The device also includes means for transmitting a system parameter message including associated stream length information separately from the data stream.

In another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable medium comprising one or more sequences of one or more instructions for execution by one or more processors performs a method for transmitting information. These instructions, when executed by one or more processors, ensure that the said one or more processors carry out the steps of determining stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream and associating the stream length information with the message of the system parameters. The step of transmitting a system parameter message, including associated stream length information separate from the data stream, is also performed.

In another aspect of the present invention, the transmission module for transmitting information includes a determination section configured to determine stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream. This transmitter unit also includes an association section configured to associate stream length information with a system parameter message. The transmitter is configured to transmit a system parameter message including stream length information separately from the data stream.

In yet another aspect, the system includes a processor having first and second logical sections. The first logical section determines the information about the length of the stream for at least one data stream, and the second logical section associates the information about the length of the stream with the message of the system parameters. The transmitter is configured to transmit a system parameter message including stream length information separately from the data stream.

Multiplexing multiple streams of various multimedia data in an error-prone wireless broadband channel presents particular problems. In particular, if the service data necessary for the network device to demultiplex and / or decode the data is received by the receiver of the device with an error, the corresponding multimedia data is lost until the actual service data is received.

The present invention solves this problem by placing the length of each stream transmitted over the MLC, necessary for demultiplexing individual streams, in the channel character service data (OIS). Stream length information may be transmitted in a band along with stream layer packets. In conventional systems, if PLPs carrying stream length information are received in error, there is no way for the receiver to demultiplex individual data streams, even if the data is received without any errors. In the present invention, however, even if individual streams may carry PLPs received in error, it is still possible to demultiplex individual streams to process the data of these streams.

Many multimedia streams are transmitted over the MLC in a superframe. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention transmit stream information, for example, the length of each stream transmitted over the MLC, independently of the streams, so that the receiver can demultiplex individual streams. Information about the streams can be transmitted separately from the packets of the stream level.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, incorporated herein and forming part of the description of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the above general description and the following detailed description of embodiments, serve to explain the essence of the present invention. The drawings show the following:

1 is a network including one embodiment of a content delivery system;

FIG. 2 is a content provider suitable for use in an embodiment of the content delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a content server suitable for use in an embodiment of the content delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between streams and MLC in conventional communication networks based on FLO;

5 is a structural diagram illustrating a method of packing streams in an MLC;

6 is an exemplary superframe used in conventional networks;

7 is a correspondence between packets of the MAC layer and PLP;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary OIS system parameter message made in this embodiment; FIG.

Fig.9 is a block diagram of an exemplary method for implementing this embodiment, and

10 is a structural diagram of an exemplary system according to this embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the drawings describing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are possible, and within the scope and spirit of the invention, changes can be made to these embodiments. Thus, the following detailed description is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of this invention is defined by the claims.

This description of the invention discloses one or more embodiments including the features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiment (s) of implementation is provided (a) just for example. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment (s). The invention is defined by the claims.

The embodiment (s) described (e) and referred to (e) in this description of the invention as “one embodiment”, “embodiment”, “exemplary embodiment”, etc., shows that the described embodiment may include a separate feature, structure or characteristic, but each implementation option does not necessarily include this particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described with reference to an embodiment, it is understood that one skilled in the art will understand how to implement a similar feature, structure or characteristic with respect to other embodiments, whether or not it has been explicitly described.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention, as described below, can be implemented in many different embodiments in the form of software, hardware, software and hardware, and / or the objects shown in these drawings. The present invention is not limited to any existing machine program with specialized controllable hardware for implementing the present invention. Therefore, the operation and modes of the present invention are described on the assumption that modifications and changes to these embodiments are possible, taking into account the level of detail provided herein.

Figure 1 shows a communication network 100, which includes a delivery system 136 that performs the steps of creating and transferring streams of multimedia content over data networks. For example, this delivery system complies with the principles of the FLO system described above and is suitable for use when transferring content clips from a content provider network to a wireless access network for broadcast distribution.

The network 100 comprises a content provider (CP) 102, a content provider network 104, an optimized broadcast network 106, and a wireless access network 108. The network 100 also includes a mobile phone 112, a personal digital assistant (PDA) 114, and a laptop computer 116. The devices 110 illustrate only some of the devices suitable for use with the delivery system 136. Although only three devices are shown in FIG. 1, it is obvious that any number of similar devices or device types can be used in the delivery system 136, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The content provider 102 performs actions to provide content for distribution to users on the network 100. The content includes video, audio and multimedia content, video clips, real and non-real-time content, scripts, programs, data, or other types of relevant content. A content provider 102 provides content to a content provider network 104 for distribution. For example, the content provider 102 is in communication with the content provider network 104 via a communication channel 118, which is in the form of any suitable wired and / or wireless communication channel.

The content provider network 104 is in the form of any combination of wired and wireless networks that perform actions to distribute content for delivery to users. The content provider network 104 communicates with the optimized broadcast network 106 over the communication link 120. Communication line 120 is any suitable wired and / or wireless communication line. The optimized broadcast network 106 is made in the form of any combination of wired and wireless networks designed for broadcasting high-quality content. For example, the optimized broadcast network 106 may be a specialized private network optimized for delivering high quality content to selected devices over a plurality of optimized communication channels.

The delivery system 136 performs actions for delivering content for distribution from the content provider 102 to the content server (CS) 122 in the content provider network 104, performing actions for communicating with the broadcast base station (BBS) 124 in the wireless access network. CS 122 and BBS 124 communicate using one or more embodiments of a transport interface 126, allowing a content provider network 104 to deliver content as content streams to a wireless / multicast network 108 for devices 110. The transport interface 126 comprises a control interface 128 and carrier channel 130. The control interface 128 allows the CS server 122 to add, change, terminate, and otherwise change the content flows coming from the content provider network 104 to the network 108 wireless access. The carrier channel 130 will transfer content streams from the content provider network 104 to the wireless access network 108.

The CS server 122 uses the transport interface 126 to schedule the transmission of content streams to the BBS 124 for broadcast / multicast over the wireless access network 108. For example, the content stream may comprise a non-real-time content clip provided by the content provider 102 for distribution through the content provider network 104. The CS server 122 negotiates with the BBS 124 to determine one or more parameters related to the content clip. Having received this content clip, BBS 124 broadcasts / multicasts this content clip through the wireless access network 108 for reception by one or more devices 110. Any of the devices 110 may be authorized to accept the content clip and store it in the cache for viewing device user at a later time.

In the above example, the device 110 comprises a client program 132 providing a program guide displaying a list of content scheduled for broadcast over the wireless access network 108. The user of the device can select any specific content for real-time playback or for storing in cache 134 for viewing at a later time. For example, a content clip may be scheduled for broadcast in the evening hours, and device 112 receives this broadcast and stores the given content clip in cache 134 so that the device user can view the clip the next day. Typically, content is broadcast as part of a subscription service, and the receiving device may be required to provide a key or otherwise authenticate itself to receive the broadcast.

Delivery system 136 allows the CS server 122 to receive program guide (PG) entries, program content, and other related data from the content provider 102. The CS server 122 updates and / or creates content for delivery to devices 110.

2 shows a content provider server 200 suitable for use in a content delivery system. For example, server 200 can be used as server 102 in FIG. Server 200 comprises data processing logic 202, resources and interfaces 204, and transceiver logic 210 connected to internal data bus 212. Server 200 also includes activation logic 214, PG (program guide) 206 and dictionary state logic 208, which are also connected to internal data bus 212.

The data processing logic 202 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, storage elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. Thus, the data processing logic 202 mainly comprises logic for executing machine-readable instructions and for controlling one or more functional elements of the server 200 via the internal data bus 212.

Resources and interfaces 204 are comprised of hardware and / or software that allows server 200 to communicate with internal and external systems. For example, internal systems may include mass storage systems, a storage device, a display driver, a modem, or other internal device resources. External systems may include user interface devices, printers, disk drives, or other local devices or systems.

The transceiver logic 210 comprises hardware logic circuits and / or software for transmitting and receiving data and / or other information by the server 200 from remote devices or systems using the communication channel 216. For example, communication channel 216 may be any suitable type of communication channel that allows server 200 to communicate with a data network.

The activation logic 214 includes a CPU, a processor, a logic matrix, hardware logic, storage elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The activation logic 214 activates the CS server and / or the corresponding device, allowing the CS and / or device to select and receive the content and / or services described in PG 206. The activation logic 214 transfers to the CS server and / or device during the activation procedure client program 220. Client program 220 is launched on the CS server and / or device for receiving PG 206 and displaying information about available content or services to the device user. Thus, the activation logic 214 performs authentication of the CS and / or device, downloading the client program 220 and loading the PG 206 for playback on the device by the client program 220.

PG 206 contains, in any suitable format, information describing the content and / or services available to the user. For example, PG 206 may be stored in the local storage of server 200 and may contain information such as content or service identifiers, scheduling information, billing information and / or any other relevant information. PG 206 contains one or more identifiable sections updated by data processing logic 202 when changes to available content or services are made.

The dictionary state block 208 contains hardware or software that generates notification messages identifying and / or describing changes to the PG 206. For example, when the data processing logic 202 updates the PG 206, the dictionary state logic 208 is notified of these changes. After that, the directory state logic 208 generates one or more notification messages transmitted to the CS server, which can be activated by the server 200, so that these CS servers are timely notified of changes in the PG 206.

As part of the content delivery notification message, a broadcast indicator is provided indicating when the PG section identified in the message will be broadcast. For example, a broadcast indicator may contain one bit to indicate that a given section will be broadcast, and a time indicator showing when the broadcast will occur. Thus, CS servers and / or devices wishing to update their local copies of PG records can listen to broadcasts at the appointed time to receive the updated section of PG records.

According to one embodiment, the content delivery notification system comprises program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processor, such as data processing logic 202, provide the functions of the server 200 described herein. For example, program instructions can be downloaded to server 200 from computer-readable media, such as a floppy disk, CD, memory card, flash memory device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of storage device or computer-readable medium that communicates with a computer through resources 204. According to another embodiment, these instructions can be downloaded to the server 200 from an external device or network resource communicating with the server 200 through the transceiver logic 210. These program instructions, when executed by the data processing logic 202, provide a conductor status notification system as described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a content server (CS) or device 300 suitable for use in a content delivery system. For example, the CS server 300 may be a CS server 122 or a device 110 shown in FIG. CS 300 includes data processing logic 302, resources and interfaces 304, and transceiver logic 306 connected to data bus 308. In addition, the CS 300 includes a client 310, a communication channel 314, and a program guide (PG) logic 312 also connected to the data bus 308.

The data processing logic 302 comprises a CPU, a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, storage elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or combinations of hardware and software. Thus, the data processing logic 302 mainly contains logic for executing machine-readable instructions and for controlling one or more functional elements of the server 300 via an internal data bus 308.

Means and interfaces 304 are composed of hardware and / or software that allows server 300 to communicate with internal and external systems. For example, internal systems may include mass storage systems, a storage device, a display driver, a modem, or other internal device resources. External systems may include user interface devices, printers, disk drives, or other local devices or systems.

The transceiver logic 306 consists of hardware logic and / or software for transmitting and receiving data and / or other information by the server 300 from remote devices or systems using the communication channel 314. For example, communication channel 314 may be a network communication channel, a wireless communication channel, or any other type of communication channel.

During operation, the CS 300 is activated to receive available content or services over a data network. For example, during the activation procedure, the CS 300 identifies itself to the content provider. As part of the activation procedure, the CS 300, through the PG logic 312, receives and stores PG records. In this case, the PG 312 contains information identifying the content or services available to the CS 300 for reception. Client 310 reproduces information in PG logic 312 on the CS and / or device 300 using resources and interfaces 304. For example, client 310 reproduces information in PG logic 312 on an electronic display board that is part of this device. Client 310 also accepts user input through resources and interfaces so that a device user can select content or services.

By transceiver logic 306, the CS 300 receives notification messages. For example, the message data may be broadcast or unicast to the CS 300 server and received by the transceiver logic 306. Notification PG messages determine PG record updates in the PG logic 312. In one embodiment, client 310 processes PG notification messages to determine if a local copy needs to be updated in PG logic 312. For example, in one embodiment, the notification messages include a section identifier, a start time, an end time, and a version number.

The CS 300 compares the information in the PG notification messages with information locally stored in the existing PG logic 312. If the CS 300 determines from the notification messages that it is necessary to update one or more local copy partitions in the PG logic 312, then the CS 300 receives the data of the updated PG partitions in one of a number of ways. For example, updated PG sections can be broadcast at the time indicated in the PG notification messages so that the transceiver logic 306 can receive translation data and transmit the updated sections to the CS 300, which in turn updates the local copy in the PG logic 312.

Based on the received PG update notification messages, the CS 300 determines which PG partitions to update and sends a request to the CP server to obtain the desired updated PG partitions. For example, a given request may be formatted using any suitable format and may contain information such as a requested CS identifier, section identifier, version number, and / or other suitable information.

In one or more embodiments of the PG CS 300 notification system, one or more of the following functions is performed. It should be noted that the following functions can be changed, rearranged, transformed, added, deleted or otherwise adjusted within the scope of this invention.

1. CS is activated to receive content or services when working with the content provider system. As part of the activation procedure, the client and PG are sent to the CS.

2. One or more PG notification messages are received on the CS and used to determine whether one or more sections of the locally stored PG need to be updated.

3. In one embodiment, if the CS determines that it is necessary to update one or more partitions of the locally stored PG, then to receive the updated PG partitions required to update the local copy, the CS receives broadcast from the distribution system.

4. In another embodiment, the CS sends one or more request messages to the CP to obtain the required updated PG sections.

5. In response to the request, the CP sends the updated PG sections to the CS.

6. CS uses the accepted updated PG partitions to update its local copy of PG.

The content delivery system contains program instructions that can be stored on a computer-readable medium and, when executed by a processor, such as data processing logic 302, provide the functions of a content delivery notification system as described herein. For example, program instructions can be downloaded to server 300 from a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, CD, memory card, flash memory device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of storage device or computer-readable medium that communicates with a computer through resources 304. In another embodiment, instructions may be downloaded to the server 300 from an external device or network resource communicating with the server 300 via a transceiver logic 306. These program instructions, when executed by the data processing logic 302, provide a content delivery system as described herein.

It should be noted that the CS 300 server is only one embodiment and that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between flows and MLCs in conventional FLO based communication networks.

As a prerequisite, an exemplary stream 400 may include information downloaded to a device, such as device 112, from a mobile video service provided, for example, by cable news network (CNN). This CNN broadcast may include application layer data in the form of a video stream 402, an audio stream 404, and a text stream 406. Each of the streams 402, 404 and 406, which carries separate data, is sent to the physical layer of the network 100 through the corresponding streams 0, 1 and 2 uniquely identifiable MLC 408.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for packing streams 0-2 in the MLC 408. That is, in the context of the above FIG. 4, the data of the application layer streams 402, 404 and 406 are packed in the MLC 408 by first filling in the stream 2. Next, it is filled stream 1, and then stream 0 is filled. The important point is that the MLC 408 includes data from each of the streams 0-2. Each of the flows in all MLCs within a superframe is populated in the same way.

6 shows an exemplary superframe 600 used in a conventional network, which may include an MLC 408 above layer streams 402, 404, and 406. 6, a superframe 600 is further subdivided into four separate frames F1-F4. Each of the F1-F4 frames includes one or more MLCs, such as the MLC 408, wherein each MLC is located at the same location in each corresponding one of the F1-F4 frames. For example, in superframe 600, the MLC 408 is located in frame F1. Thus, flows 0-2 are sequentially placed in frame F1.

Also, the MLC 408 includes an overhead section 601 reporting information regarding the characteristics of the streams in the individual MLCs related to the superframe 600. The superframe 600 also includes an overhead identifier (OIS) channel 602. The OIS channel 602, among other things, informs the device about the location of the MLC in the superframe 600. Therefore, when the device initially requests a network service, it must first decrypt this OIS channel 602 in order to know the exact location and other characteristics of the MLC 408 before it can be decompressed and used. in the MLC 408.

The remaining F2-F4 frames of superframe 600 include MLC 603, 604, and 606, respectively. Each of MLC 603, 604, and 606 may also include sequentially packed data represented by multiple streams.

The value of the structure 500 in FIG. 5 and the superframe 600 in FIG. 6 is that on the device side for proper data demultiplexing of each of the streams 0-2, this device needs to know where the boundaries between the streams are located. That is, the device needs to know where one thread ends and where another thread begins.

Stream lengths and boundaries are transmitted in units of medium access control (MAC) layer packets. As is obvious to those skilled in the art, in the communication network, the MAC layer multiplexes packets belonging to different multimedia streams related to the MLC. The MAC layer defines the procedures used to receive and transmit through the physical layer of the network. The physical layer of the network provides the channel structure, frequency, power, modulation and coding characteristics for the downlink of the network.

The MAC layer packet is essentially the same length as the PLP. As mentioned above, the control protocol information is transmitted by the network by radio through the PLP. Thus, each packet of the MAC layer is transmitted over the air in one PLP.

7, an illustration 700 of the correspondence between MAC packets 702 and PLP 704 is presented. Each of the MAC packets 702 corresponds in length to one of PLP 704.

In accordance with FIG. 5, the length of each of the streams 0-2 may be determined by the number of MAC layer packets. For example, stream 2 can be equal to 13 packets of the MAC layer, stream 1 can be equal to 20 packets of the MAC layer, and stream 0 to two packets of the MAC layer. In the MLC, MAC layer packets are sent together in streams. Thus, for proper demultiplexing of the MLC 408, for example, this device needs to know the number of MAC layer packets in each of the 0-2 streams. In the conventional superframe 600, this MAC layer packet information is located in the MLC 408 overhead section 601.

A problem for the structure of the conventional superframe 600 is that if the MLC 408, in particular the overhead section 601, is distorted, the device will not be able to demultiplex any of the streams in the MLC 408, 603, 604 and 606. Even if the actual data in the MLC is not distorted, without information located in the overhead section 601, none of the corresponding streams can be processed. The present invention provides a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention, MAC layer packet information is also located in the OIS channel of the superframe, in addition to the overhead section of the corresponding MLC. An advantage of this is that the super-frame OIS channel is transmitted over the air using more reliable transmission characteristics than those assigned to the MLC transmission. Thus, the probability of distortion of the OIS channel during transmission is less than the probability of distortion of the MLC overhead section.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary OIS system parameter message 800 transmitted over an OIS channel according to the present invention. The OIS system parameter message 800 includes 802 entries regarding MLC characteristics in the corresponding superframe. However, according to the present invention, entries 802 are modified to include a segment 804 containing the MAC layer packet and stream length information described above.

According to an exemplary message 800 of the OIS system parameters in FIG. 8 for receiving MLC data by a device, it can be configured to read an OIS system parameter message 800 and search for segment 804. By providing data on MAC layer packets and stream lengths in a more reliable OIS channel, as well as in MLC, if separate streams are distorted, then in this device it is still possible to perform demultiplexing of the remaining streams.

9 is a flowchart of an example method 900 for implementing the present invention. 9, a method for transmitting information includes determining stream length data for at least one data stream to be transmitted, as shown in step 902, and associating this stream length data with a system parameter message, as shown in step 904 A system parameter message including relevant data about the length of the stream is transmitted separately from the data stream, as shown in step 906.

10 is a block diagram of an example system 1000 of this embodiment. 10, a means 1002 for determining determines stream length data for at least one transmitted stream. Binding tool 1004 associates stream length data with a system parameter message. Means 1006 for transmitting transmits a system parameter message including corresponding data about the length of the stream separately from the data stream.

In the overview order of the present invention, several multimedia streams are transmitted to the MLC in a superframe. The present invention provides flow information, for example, the length of each stream transmitted to the MLC, independent of the streams, so that the receiver can demultiplex individual streams. Stream information may be transmitted separately from stream layer packets. In this case, even if the individual streams may contain PLPs received in error, it is still possible to demultiplex the individual streams to process the streaming data.

In one embodiment, a system parameter message (OIS) and / or a data channel MAC protocol header (embedded-OIS) is used to transmit stream lengths for streams contained in the MLC. Since OIS messages are transmitted in a much more reliable way, more reliable demultiplexing and / or decryption of streams is achieved.

The present invention is described above with the help of functional structural elements showing the performance of certain functions and their relationship. Moreover, the boundaries of these functional structural elements are set arbitrarily for convenience of description. Alternative boundaries can be specified provided that certain functions and the relationships between them are performed accordingly.

Thus, any such alternative boundaries are within the scope and spirit of the invention described in the claims. A person skilled in the art should understand that these functional structural elements can be performed in the form of analog or digital circuits, discrete components, specialized integrated circuits, firmware, a processor that runs the corresponding software, etc. or combinations thereof. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention is not limited to one of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but is determined only according to the attached claims and their equivalents.

The above description of certain embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the present invention that applying knowledge within the limits of competence in the art (including the contents of the references cited in this document) without undue experimentation, without deviating from the general principles of the present invention, it is easy to change or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications. Therefore, such adaptations and changes are considered to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments based on the ideas and solutions presented herein. It goes without saying that the phraseology or terminology in this document is intended to describe and not limit, so that the terminology or phraseology of the present patent description should be interpreted by a qualified professional in light of the ideas and guidelines presented in this document, combined with the knowledge of the average specialist.

The section of the detailed description of the invention should, first of all, be used to interpret the claims. Sections of the brief description and abstract may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provided by the inventors, and thus are not intended to limit the claims.

Therefore, it is clear that the section of the detailed description of the invention, and not the sections of the brief description and abstract, is intended for use in interpreting the claims. Sections of the brief description and abstract may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention provided by the inventors, and thus are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

Claims (18)

1. The method of transmitting information containing
determining stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream;
associating stream length information with a system parameter message; and
transmitting a system parameter message including associated stream length information separately from the data, the system parameter message being included in an overhead symbol (OIS) channel. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising associating stream length information with overhead channel data. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stream length information is based on packets of a medium access control (MAC) layer. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system parameter message is transmitted according to the first transmission characteristics, and the data stream is transmitted according to the second transmission characteristics. 5. The method according to claim 1, in which information about the length of the stream is included in the message system parameters. 6. A method of receiving information comprising receiving a system parameter message including stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream, the system parameter message being received separately from the transmitted data stream in the overhead symbol (OIS) channel;
extract information about the length of the stream from the received message system parameters; and
reading a data stream corresponding to stream length information. 7. A device for transmitting data containing
means for determining stream length information for at least one transmitted data stream;
means for associating stream length information with a message of system parameters; and
means for transmitting a system parameter message including associated stream length information separately from the data stream, the system parameter message being included in an overhead symbol (OIS) channel. 8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising means for associating stream length information with overhead channel data. 9. The device according to claim 7, in which the information about the length of the stream is based on the packets of the medium access control (MAC) layer. 10. The device according to claim 7, in which the message system parameters is transmitted according to the first transmission characteristics, and the data stream is transmitted according to the second transmission characteristics. 11. The device according to claim 7, in which information about the length of the stream is included in the message system parameters. 12. A computer-readable medium containing one or more sequences of one or more instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform a method of transmitting information, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, ensure that one or more processors perform the steps of determining information about stream length at least one transmitted data stream;
associating information about the length of the stream with the message system parameters; and
transmitting a system parameter message including associated stream length information separately from the data stream, wherein the system parameter message is included in an overhead symbol (OIS) channel. 13. The medium of claim 12, wherein said steps include associating stream length information with overhead channel data. 14. The medium of claim 12, wherein the stream length information is based on packets of a medium access control (MAC) layer. 15. The medium of claim 12, wherein the system parameter message is transmitted according to the first transmission characteristics, and the data stream is transmitted according to the second transmission characteristics. 16. The medium of claim 12, wherein the stream length information is included in the system parameter message. 17. A transmitting module for transmitting information containing a determination section configured to determine
stream length information for at least one transmitted stream;
an association section configured to associate stream length information with a message of system parameters; and
a transmitter configured to transmit a system parameter message including associated stream length information separately from the data stream, the system parameter message being included in an overhead symbol (OIS) channel. 18. A system for transmitting information, comprising a processor having first and second logical sections;
moreover, the first logical section determines the information about the length of the stream for at least one transmitted data stream;
moreover, the second logical section associates information about the length of the stream with the message system parameters; and
a transmitter configured to transmit a system parameter message including stream length information separately from the data stream, the system parameter message being included in an overhead symbol (OIS) channel.

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